Spring brings building projects to Idaho Falls

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - Many construction projects are in the works in Idaho Falls, and crews are waiting on permit approval.

Folks in Idaho Falls will soon have more options when it comes to shopping, entertainment, housing and schooling, from an event center east of Interstate15 to a specialty grocery store on 17th Street, a gun shop, a 48-unit senior housing project and two elementary schools.

Nearly a dozen projects are in the works.

Idaho Falls Assistant Planning Director Brad Cramer said that in 2012 the city issued one permit. This year, three have been issued.

"The fact that we have this many in the works even though we haven't issued the permits yet, what it tells us is that we're going to have a good construction year, and that's good for everybody," he said. "It creates a lot of jobs and keeps the economy moving."

Cramer says some permits are ready to be issued, while other projects are barely getting started on their site plans.

Cindy Ozaki, chairman of the city's auditorium district, said she hopes to start construction on the event center this summer.

"With the event center, we will have our own hockey team, so we will have hockey during the fall and winter time," she said. "We will also do trade shows (and) concerts."

Ozaki said it means more economic development for the city. "So that's what this is really all about, is how do we grow Idaho Falls, improve the quality of life and improve the business opportunity?"

You can check out the new gun shop in the fall. The grocery store will replace the old Andrews well-drilling site in the winter, and the senior housing project and event center will be up sometime next year.

Cramer said once permits get approved, construction can last from six to eight months.